Research
The Department of Political Theory and History of Ideas devotes its teaching and research to the theoretical foundations of politics. Systematic perspectives are combined with perspectives from the history of ideas. A particular focus is on aspects of constitutionalism, basic political concepts and the current plurality and controversial nature of political forms of order.
This is investigated in various
Research is also being conducted into the political relevance and democratic-theoretical implications of contemporary social initiatives for the ecological-democratic transformation of modern societies (dissertation project Lewe) and into the idea of civic duty in modern democracy (completed dissertation project Altenburger). A habilitation project examines the democratic potential of cities, which are experiencing new relevance as spaces for political action under the conditions of globalization (Habilitation project Frick). Other research projects deal with the potential of constitutional courts for defensive democracy (MacGillivray doctoral project), ideological lines of conflict between conservative and liberal thinking (Beckstein/McGrogan anthology) and the socio-political opportunities and dangers of online dating (Buchprojekt Beckstein).
Tine Stein's current research projects concern the relationship between politics and religion. In particular, she is investigating how the universal claim to validity of human rights is also processed within religious communities. Here, she builds on her thesis of the 'performative self-contradiction of the Catholic Church', which welcomes human rights but does not apply them to its own institutional order. Together with colleagues, Tine Stein has organized two conferences on this topic ("Semper Reformanda","Synod as an opportunity") In addition, the relationship between politics and the constitution as well as democracy, religion and law is being examined in depth, including as part of an editing project for an English-language translation of the writings of Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde (research project, together with Mirjam Künkler). She is also investigating the development of fundamental rights and the concept of democratic foundations in German constitutional history in a current project. The relationship between politics and nature is also a focus of Tine Stein's research. The DFG-funded joint project "Politics and Ethics of Finitude" (partially completed) is dedicated to the question of what ethical and political demands arise from the endangerment of the natural foundations of life as a finite phenomenon. Another research project of the entire Göttingen team is dedicated to the basic political concepts or the concept of the basic political concept.